100 Years Ago Today: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Architecture students learn many things in college, including about notable fires. Â The 1980 MGM Grand Fire is one, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of March 25, 1911 is another.
The Triangle fire in New York City on March 25, 1911, killed 146 people, mainly women, mainly young immigrant women. Some were girls of 14 and 15. The fire broke out on the upper floors of the factory, too high for fire department ladders of those days to reach. People gathered on the street below watched in horror as women and men jumped to their deaths to avoid the enveloping flames. Observers talked of the sky raining flaming bodies. Many of the workers trapped inside were burned beyond recognition. (CNN)
I’m sure you are wondering why I’m writing about a New York City fire on a St. Louis blog, let me explain. Â The fire lasted only thirty minutes, but the tragedy sparked changes to building codes and labor laws that endure today. Â Regulations requiring emergency exits to be unlocked when a space was occupied came as a result of this fire. Some exits were locked, trapping victims. According to Wikipedia, a factory owner was “arrested for locking the door in his factory during working hours. He was fined $20.”
This fire strengthened the labor movement as workers increasingly demanded safer working conditions. In St. Louis garment factories had to change their ways to prevent a similar tragedy here.
– Steve Patterson
Wow, last night I just watched a documentary on Netflix about the Triangle Factory Fire. It was really well done and gave a great context highlighting the attempted unionization of the workers the year before the tragedy. And, it showed a great number of photos from the era.
Wow, last night I just watched a documentary on Netflix about the Triangle Factory Fire. It was really well done and gave a great context highlighting the attempted unionization of the workers the year before the tragedy. And, it showed a great number of photos from the era.
Not only were the exits locked, they were blocked by textile scrap, which had been ordered to be put there by the bosses. Anyone who thinks unions are not needed, and were not important in the formation of a middle class in this country, is simply ignorant of history. Either that or they are just whores for industry.
Not only were the exits locked, they were blocked by textile scrap, which had been ordered to be put there by the bosses. Anyone who thinks unions are not needed, and were not important in the formation of a middle class in this country, is simply ignorant of history. Either that or they are just whores for industry.
Those who decry regulation should remember this tragedy.
Those who decry regulation should remember this tragedy.
Tragic. The loss of life. But the numbers pale in comparison to the millions of babies that lose their life through abortions each year.
Say what?
Jesus H Christ on a cracker
Feeling kind of self-righteous now after that segue aren’t we, Js211.
You, sir, are an idiot.
How so?
Are you arguing that unions were somehow involved in the legalization of abortion?
As I tell every pro-lifer, if you believe abortion should be banned, go out and start adopting some children.
you mean anti-abortion, or anti-choice, not pro-life.
Tragic. The loss of life. But the numbers pale in comparison to the millions of babies that lose their life through abortions each year.
Say what?
Jesus H Christ on a cracker
Feeling kind of self-righteous now after that segue aren’t we, Js211.
You, sir, are an idiot.
How so?
Are you arguing that unions were somehow involved in the legalization of abortion?
As I tell every pro-lifer, if you believe abortion should be banned, go out and start adopting some children.
you mean anti-abortion, or anti-choice, not pro-life.